24 Aug 2014 09:06:41
Wow. It's amazing how a couple of late goals can change everyone's perception of a game.

For me, I'm staying 'Martinez' positive and looking at the first 80 minutes of this game. We controlled and dominated a team supposedly taking the next step to challenging for the title. Not only in possession but in ideas, confidence and clear cut chances.

Until Arsenal equalised they had an outstanding chance in the 46th min and a couple of half chances to note all game. However, we are lacking in terms of stamina and you could see the energy levels drop in the last 10-15 minutes.

I'm so hopeful for the rest of the season as fitness is the easiest thing to improve. If we weren't creating chances or playing poorly with a lack of ideas then I would be seriously worried.

Yesterday, we looked like a team challenging for the title not Arsenal and once we shake off this rustiness and improve fitness we are going to be challenging for the serious spoils in the league and in the cups this season.

As for the players I think Naismith was outstanding yesterday and how Bobby has worked wonders on him is a detriment to how Moyes understood him as a player. I tip him to get over 15 goals this season. Lukaku is still a couple of weeks away from being fully fit and he needs to get angrier in my opinion. A bit of Anichebe attitude would do him the world of good.

I thought Osman was the wrong player to come on yesterday but in fact he helped shore up the midfield and it allowed Mirrallas to roam around the pitch which is the best position for him instead of having to stick to one side of the field.

At the back Distin should have been stronger for the second goal but was solid throughout. Jags is still looking hit that long ball to no-one but he looks like he's lost a bit of composure to me, maybe due to a poor world cup but I think more to the fact he doesn't like having to use the ball more.

Baines in the first half was that good Sanchez left the pitch at half time and Debuchy stopped attacking him. It was great to see Coleman back and he had a good game but you could see he's not quite up to speed yet.

I would have liked Howard to come out for the Giroud header and anticipate that cross coming in instead of standing on his line. I think a yard or 2 off his line and he could have intercepted the cross. I've not seen it on TV yet though so won't hold judgement too much.

Overall though I think we are looking in good shape to have a good season. Keep the faith boys it's only two games in and really it should be 6 points instead of 2.

IMWT COYB NSNO

1.) 24 Aug 2014
Exactly what I said mate. Completely agree with you.
Some people on here are being incredibly fickle.

2.) 24 Aug 2014
24 Aug 2014 10:13:02
Fact is we were shipping goals at the end of the last season and that's just continued into this season. All the attractive football is wasted if you can't defend, simple really.

3.) 24 Aug 2014
24 Aug 2014 11:10:02
Best post on here to date Svenny lad.

4.) 24 Aug 2014
I believe people have right to voice there concern as is they who ultimately pay the wages.I was worried when martinez first started but he as won me over. And yesterday I thought the team played very good in parts, My concern is jags as he hasn't play well for the last 12-18 months, I thought our run in was really good last year whilst stones was playing centre half then jags came back and looked shocking, the man city game stands out how poor he was. Yesterday's second goal they scored was down to him mainly as he missed the header leaving distin on the back foot, last week he didn't pick up the runner, he costing us games badly.I don't mind osman, as I think he is a good footballer but I thought he was the wrong choice around, from a attacking point there was better on the bench and as a defensive approach there was better on the bench

5.) 24 Aug 2014
The days fans paid the wages is long gone. If Goodison was empty every week it would not make a massive difference to our economy.

6.) 24 Aug 2014
I think you'll find that what you are saying is that between £500.000 & £750.000 on gate receipts would not make a difference

7.) 24 Aug 2014
Woburnblue - we had a 3-0 win against Hull last game of the season - a 2-0 against United and a 3-0 win again Arsenal in the last 6 games and had the third best defence in the league for the season. Not too sure you have any argument there to be honest.

8.) 24 Aug 2014
Efcjoe - I think everyone can have their say but sometimes a bit of perspective needs to be shown and some of the posts have been a complete overreaction.

I agree about Jags. He isn't the same player in this system and struggles with confidence on the ball. Whereas, stones doesn't. But defensively Stones is still making too many simple mistakes. The amount of goals that were his fault in preseason means he is a bigger risk for me.

As for other options off the bench, I'm not sure.

McGeady may get a goal or and assist but for some reason he can't pass the ball 5 feet at the moment. I think if you are 2 nil up you need to keep the ball and he doesn't do that. If anyone went to the Porto game would see where I'm coming from.

Atsu looks like a very poor mans Sterling and looks far too lightweight for me. Time will tell but El Del was in a different class to this lad I think.

Again it's perspective but I'm happy with yesterday and think we'll get better.

9.) 24 Aug 2014
Efcjoe - no 8 million a year does not make that much difference, it's about 10% of our turnover, although with new tv money it will be more like 5% so yes that is exactly what I'm saying

10.) 25 Aug 2014
24 Aug 2014 22:30:35
Blue johns nice selective choice that. What about palace the league an the arse in the cup? Cb's gone past there sell by date make the change.

11.) 25 Aug 2014
Hi svenny, it would be a minimum of 10million but more likely closer to 18million a year just on takings at the gates alone, which would cover the players wages on the pitch at a given time.But my point is football is a entertainment business so is open to criticism. Yes sometimes we over react but you can normally put that down to passion & frustration.I personally think jags as been very good, but over the last 12 months or more he as not been good enough if we aspire to move forward and compete at the very top.I think osman is a very good footballer but I don't think he would be first choice for most clubs in the premier league.